- Locally, the Baikal seal is known as nerpa.
- It is the only seal species with all the populations living in freshwaters.
- Baikal seals feed mainly on fish, but also on small amphipods.
- Dive durations are usually 2-4 minutes but can exceed 40 minutes.
- It can live for over 50 years.
- The age at maturity is 7-10 years for males and 3-7 years for females.
- Females give birth in snow-covered burrows on the ice.
- Pups weigh about 3 kg at birth and are about 70 cm long.
- The ice of the lake provides protection from predators, particularly for the newly born pups.
- As a landlocked ice-breeding species, Baikal seals may be vulnerable to future climate change.
- Baikal seals have comb-like cheek teeth, which enable them to feed on amphipods. With the specialised teeth, they can retain small amphipods and expel water during high-speed diving.
It is endemic to Lake Baikal. It can reach a weight of about 130 kg. Females have pups until 43-45 years old. It can dive to over 300 m in depth.
Dive durations are usually 2-4 minutes but can exceed 40 minutes. It is the only seal species with all the populations living in freshwaters. Females give birth in snow-covered burrows on the ice. Baikal seals feed mainly on fish, but also on small amphipods.
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